Manatee (AO 58) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 98 text:

On the morning of February 20, the word was passed, All hands to quarters for entering port . Decked out in freshly pressed blues the crew manned the rail. The lost and best house flag Idling our fellow ships know our next stop. Those last few days of transit seemed to last forever. Anticipating the period of R R final work was pushed. Work anticipated for the upcoming yard period had to be scheduled and training accomplished. With the generally fair weather, the crew turned to and painted and preserv- ed the topside spaces which had taken the brunt of the seven month deployment. The crew at quarters for entering port. QMSN ROBERTS lakes a bear visible in the background haze long Beach. The city is

Page 97 text:

SN SAMPICA and CS2 FISHER pause in the midst of preparing a day meal during the homeward transit. TRANSIT FN E. EMORY receives congratulations and $25 from CAPT FAAS after h girlfriend Lottie SPIVEY was elected Miss MANATEE. Everyone was looking forward to homecoming. 93

Page 99 text:

ne at last! Friends and relatives gathered on pier seven in Long Be the MANATEE pull HOMECOMING The ship turned the corner on the mole, and there on pier 7 were the families and friends of the crew. The brow went over and the families came aboard. MANATEE completed a seven month deployment so suc- cessful that she completed 155 replenishments without miss- ing a commitment, 10 line trips, and repaired several major casualties without outside assistance. On departure from WESTPAC the operational com- manders sent the following messages: We will miss MANATEE, as will all her market time cus- tomers. While with us you compiled an outstanding record of service, meeting all commitments, reacting rapidly to sudden schedule changes, and always performing in an enthusiastic and professional manner. Best of luck on the remainder of your deployment and best wishes for a happy homecoming. Commodore B. R. DOOGE. As you complete your deployment with the Seventh Fleet, I note with pleasure the significant contribution you made in support of our operations in Southeast Asia. Throughout your stay, your dedication and can-do spirit was evident by the many can do ' s you received from gratified customers. Well done. RADM. A. BERGENER. Upon MANATEE ' S departure from WESTPAC, I want to thank her officers and men for the fine job they have done while opera ting with the Seventh Fleet. During many long and trying days at sea, MANATEE pursued her mission of pro- viding logistic support to Seventh Fleet units on Market Time, Yankee Station, and Task Force Seventy-One operations in a reliable and thoroughly professional manner. All hands are to be congratulated on a job well done and for the significant contributions they have made to the U. S. Mission in WESTPAC. Best wishes for a pleasant voyage home and for a happy homecoming with friends and loved ones. VADM W. F. BRINGLE, USN. For MANATEE WESTPAC 1970 had ended. 95